May 15, 2019

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)

News Release

GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE PROJECT NAMED OUTSTANDING EMERGING PROJECT BY NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Today, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project was named outstanding emerging project by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP). Representatives from Windsor - Detroit Bridge Authority ( WDBA) were on hand at the NCPPP’s annual conference, P3Connect 2019, in Denver, Colorado, to accept the award.

The NCPPP’s National Public-Private Partnership Awards program recognizes unique innovations in Public- Private Partnerships (P3) and efficient and cost-saving P3 projects. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is described by NCPPP as a project that is anticipated to set the standard for future P3 projects and one that exhibits extraordinary innovation and creativity in the form of concept, approach or use of technology.

To select a private-sector partner to deliver the project components – the Canadian and US Ports of Entry, the bridge and the interchange to Interstate 75, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) ran a rigorous and fair P3 procurement process designed for WDBA to choose a private-sector partner with the skills, experiences and resources necessary to deliver this once-in-a-generation project. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP represented WDBA throughout this complex and successful procurement process that addressed the interests of multiple jurisdictions and agencies and culminated in a $5.7 billion fixed-price contract signed with Bridging North America.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project has been the recipient of several other industry awards recently including: IJGlobal’s Road Deal of the Year, Lexpert’s Canadian Deal of the Year, PFI’s Transport Deal of the Year and CG/LA Infrastructure’s prestigious 2019 Oracle Project of the Year Award.

Quotes:

“We are honoured to have the Gordie Howe International Bridge project recognized by an organization that celebrates the best in public-private partnerships, and to be the first recipient of this prestigious award in the category of emerging P3 projects. WDBA is proud to work with our private-sector partner, Bridging North America, in delivering North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge.”

Bryce Phillips, CEO - Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Quick facts

  • WDBA’s 36-year contract with Bridging North America is following a design-build-finance-operate-maintain delivery model composed of a six-year construction schedule and a 30-year operations and maintenance period.
  • A Value for Money analysis undertaken for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project demonstrated that the P3 model for this project results in a savings of approximately $562.8 million or 10.7% as compared to delivery of the project using traditional procurement methods.
  • The new Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to be in service by the end of 2024 and will be an impressive and inspiring new gateway symbol for Canada and United States with advanced technology systems to ensure an efficient flow of traffic.

About Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public- private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. For more information on WDBA visit www.GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com and follow the project on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg.

About Bridging North America

Bridging North America is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction/infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BridgingNA partners have significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario; New Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montreal, Quebec; Autoroute 30 in Montreal, Quebec; Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Ontario; Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal, Quebec; Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, California; Harbour Bridge and Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge.

About Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Fasken is a leading full-service international law firm with more than 700 lawyers and 10 offices on four continents. Fasken was recently recognized as North American Public Sector Legal Adviser of the Year (2018) for its expertise in Infrastructure and PPP Projects and is also a past recipient of the Gold Award from PPP Bulletin as Top Legal PPP Advisor in North America. Fasken is at the leading edge of global infrastructure and public- private partnership development, building infrastructure across borders, with every size and type of development and every combination of stakeholders. For additional information, please visit the Firm’s website at fasken.com.

 

 

 

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Gordie Howe International Bridge Project
Media Relations Team
226-757-1716

 

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